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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Heterotopic Renal Autotransplantation in a Porcine Model: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: February 21, 2016
Kidney transplantation from living unrelated donors
1Department of Pathology, University of California at Los Angeles 90095, USA. mcecka@ucla.edu
Abstract:
Kidney transplant candidates increasingly are looking to their relatives, spouses, and even friends for a better chance at transplantation. The wait for a cadaver kidney might be 2-5 years. Although kidneys from well-matched family members have been transplanted with excellent results for many years, accepting living donors who are genetically unrelated to the patient has not been encouraged until recently. Results show that, among 1700 patients who received kidney transplants from living unrelated donors in the United States from 1995 through 1998, the one- and projected ten-year graft survival rates were 92% and 67%, respectively. These results are superior to the 87% and 50% rates for more than 26,000 cadaver kidney transplants during the same period. Risks to the donor are low (< 0.005% mortality and < 0.3% serious complications) but not absent. Thus, motivated spouses, friends, and adopted or step-family members can play an important role in the rehabilitation of patients who need a kidney transplant.
Insights
Living unrelated kidney donors offer a viable alternative to deceased donor transplants, significantly improving graft survival rates for kidney transplant candidates. This approach provides a crucial option for patients facing long waiting lists.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Kidney transplantation is a critical treatment for end-stage renal disease.
- Long waiting times for deceased donor kidneys (2-5 years) necessitate alternative strategies.
- Historically, living donor transplants were limited to genetically related individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of kidney transplantation using living unrelated donors.
- To compare graft survival rates between living unrelated and deceased donor kidney transplants.
- To assess the risks associated with living kidney donation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1700 kidney transplant recipients who received organs from living unrelated donors in the US (1995-1998).
- Comparison with outcomes from over 26,000 deceased donor kidney transplants during the same period.
- Evaluation of donor mortality and serious complication rates.
Main Results:
- One-year graft survival rate for living unrelated donor transplants was 92%, compared to 87% for deceased donor transplants.
- Projected ten-year graft survival rate was 67% for living unrelated donors versus 50% for deceased donors.
- Donor risks were low, with <0.005% mortality and <0.3% serious complications.
Conclusions:
- Living unrelated donors, including spouses and friends, provide excellent outcomes for kidney transplantation.
- This donor pool significantly improves graft survival compared to deceased donors.
- Living donation is a safe and effective option for increasing access to kidney transplants.
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